Soccer

Kansas soccer blanks UNLV

Kansas’ Caroline Kastor, left, and UNLV’s Justine Sauder each get a foot on the ball as they stretch to try to gain possession during their soccer match Sunday, August 26, 2012, at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

UNLV’s Caitlin Allen (3) lands on the back of Kansas’ Nicole Chrisopulos as they try to gain control of the ball during their soccer match Sunday, August 26, 2012, at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

Photo by John Young

Kansas’ Caroline Kastor, left, and UNLV’s Justine Sauder each get a foot on the ball as they stretch to try to gain possession during their soccer match Sunday, August 26, 2012, at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

Senior Whitney Berry had a goal and two assists, and senior goalkeeper Kat Liebetrau recorded her second-straight shutout as Kansas University blanked UNLV, 3-0, in nonconference soccer on Sunday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

After a relatively quiet opening three matches, Berry had a hand in each of the Jayhawks’ goals. The Wichita native opened the KU scoring in the 33rd minute of the first period, launching a bending shot from 18 yards out that snuck past the UNLV goalkeeper in the top-left corner of the goal.

The score was the first of the season for Berry and 18th of her collegiate career. Sophomore Jamie Fletcher collected her first assist of the season.

Just 11 minutes into the second half, Berry returned the favor to Fletcher. The senior struck a corner kick into the box that Fletcher redirected into the net with her head, beating two defenders to the ball. Fletcher’s goal was her first of the season and marked the eighth time she has found the net as a Jayhawk.

Berry again found herself on the front end of a Kansas goal late. She started a break down-field with a through ball to a streaking Courtney Dickerson in the 84th minute to help KU put the match away. Dickerson flicked in her first career goal, becoming the fifth Jayhawk to score a goal this season.

KU improved to 3-1, while UNLV fell to 1-2-1.

Berry’s two assists gave her 27 for her career and move her within three of Monica Dolinksy (2006-09) for the all-time lead in assists at KU.

Liebetrau had four saves.

The match marked the first time Kansas has earned back-to-back shutouts since the Jayhawks blanked San Diego and South Dakota State on Sept. 18-20, 2009.

KU outshot the Rebels 23-9, with a 15-4 advantage in the second period. The Jayhawks also put nine shots on net compared to just four from the visitors from Las Vegas.

Five Jayhawks were announced to the Kansas Invitational All-Tournament team, including Berry and Liebetrau, who were named the offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively.

Jayhawks joining them on the all-tournament team were Fletcher, junior forward Caroline Kastor and junior defender Madi Hillis.